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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-10-28-COA-min.pdf Lexington Council on Aging Meeting, October 28, 1975 Town Office rsulsaing, 1nuuw G-15 ( Minutes Present CoA members Ann Jackson, Ann Paranya, Merion Ritter, Joseph Rooney, Jane Stumpp, Helen Sullivan Guest George MacCray, State Department of Elder Affairs Town Staff: Greta Glennon Observers : Dorothy Williams, Jean Zoerheide 1 . The meeting was convened at 4 10 p.m. by Chairman Jane Stumpp. The minutes for Oct 7,1975 were approved, as distributed. 2 Mrs. Stumpp introduced Mr. George MacCray, field representative of the State Department of Elder Affairs. Mr MacCray briefly outlined the changes in the state office from its beginnings in the 1950's to its present status as a department , stress- ing that the original policy of encouraging formation of local Coun- cils on Aging has continued to the present time. He explained that a CoA functions, under a state mandate, as the authorized agent for the elderly on the local level and can receive local as well as state and federal funds CoA members function as a policy-making board in re- lation to a staff person (director or coordinator) who assists in carrying out policy. The CoA repeats on the local level the state role of advocacy and the coordinating of action on behalf of older people. He pointed out that a large budget for the CoA may not be necessary if other local departments are encouraged to provide necessary services through their budgets; e g. , Health and Recreation Departments.He em- phasized that requests for programs and services must be backed up by concrete evidence of need. Mr MacCray mentioned the following as important parts of a CoA pro- gram 1. Information and referral with follow-up is essential. The Council must knowiwhat services exist and keep a record of requests for non-existoserviees. Exact figures will support plans to establish a new service. A demonstration of need may help to involve elders who can get out as volunteers 'to supply a needed service: for ex- ample, a Friendly Visiting program. 2 A newsletter is essential to good communication and/Lust reach all older citizens. 3. Outreach programs to seek out the isolated and lonely person This is difficult and requires trained persons 4. Advocacy -- joining with other CoA's to push for action on the legislative level. Mr. MacCray also explained several other matters of imprgtance to Councils on Aging 1 Funding possibilities There is a special state grant program open to new CoA's. Current- ly, the state has $100,000. 00 to be used as "seed money" to help CoA's get started Grants in amounts ranging from $100 to $5,000 are awarded to CoA's to help pay for space, equipment, programs. Grant amounts are determined by the number of applicants and the kind of program proposed This state grant is a matching program. Lexington may use funds already appropriated as the matching com- ponent , but must substantiate the needs for which funds are re- quested. 2. Some CoA's are involved in more than advocacy and information and referral and have developed many and varied programs, some of which may be funded with money from the Federal Title III program. These funds are now channeled through Area Agencies on Aging so program requests go to the AAA. Lexington is part of Region III which has its main AAA office in Wakefield, and a satellite office in Isling- ton. The director is Mr Arthur Perkins - 246- 2666. As an estab- lished CoA, Lexington is entitled to representation in the Central Region III Councils on Aging, a group which has the power to elect 3 of the 9 members - all over 60 - to the Board of Directors of the Region III AAA, and also to elect members to the AAA Advisory Coun- cil. The Advisory Council has 24 members, 51% of whom must be elderly. Recently, Rose Claffey, Sec. of the Dept. of Elder.Affairs, has had written into the State Plan a provision that any new Home Care Cor- poration must have Council on Aging representation on its board. 3. The Federal Nutrition Program, Title VII , insists that meal pro- grams for elders provide for hot and nutritionally balanced meals , in a place that allows for socialization, and in an environment that encourages people to get involved in further activity Candidates for Meals-on-Wheels programs should be carefully screened to avoid the danger of maintaining isolation. Meal sites must be carefully monitored for standards; should be open to all people (church sites may be unsuitable for this reason) , and usually function best in elderly centers Most current meal pro- grams are set up for those on or below the poverty line In response to a question about where and how to start, Mr Mac Cray mentioned the following 1 Development of an information and referral service 2. Finding space for an office/drop-in center This involves finding ground-floor locations with assured security. Town selectmen and civic organizations should be consulted for possible available space. 3 A paid coordinator can hold the program together 4. Offering advice on legal, tax, Social Security, Medicare , etc. matters 5. Crafts and other classes Most important is setting goals and working for objectives within reach to be sure of success. Old business There was a brief discussion on the Home Care Corporation plans for our area and the financing involved. It was agreed that Rev, Shirley Goodwin be asked to continue to represent the Lexington CoA on the Home Care Committee. There were brief reports on Newton programs and on the job descriptions for CoA coordinators in Concord and Winchester. The next meeting of the Council was scheduled for Tuesday, November 4, 1975 at 4 00 p.m. in Room G-15, the Town Hall. Adjournment was called at 6:20 p m. Respectfuuy submitted, cmc/ cj /�xh�c./a Sec